Hitting Engine?

[chasmalgrat3]

I've read the Ben Brinkman interview and various posts of speculation, but do we have any definitive information on hitting? We all loved MVP 05's hitting engine that took into account pitch location and user imput for where you were trying to hit the ball (try to hit a grounder to the right side on a pitch high and in and you missed it completely). Do we know if 2K8 will allow user imput into the type of hit we are trying to execute? I can't find anywhere were Brinkman gives a definite answer. I know he mentioned being able to rip one down the line or go the other way and how satisfying that is. I also saw the IGN preview but I don't put much stock in their ability and the fact that they only had the game for a day.

[chriscf10]

Re: Hitting Engine?

From what I've seen, if you go with the pitch, you will hit the ball harder. So, trying to pull and outside pitch or push an inside pitch will result in weak ground ball or popup if you make contact. However, if you are just trying to hit behind a runner to get him to advance, a weak ground ball would work just fine.

[chasmalgrat3]

Re: Hitting Engine?

Actually, my question is if we have any control over where the hit goes or is it simply swing away and the game decides based on timing and pitch location. Can you try to hit fly balls vs. ground balls and can you try to direct your hit?

[chriscf10]

Re: Hitting Engine?

Yeah, I'm not sure. I've been reading the posts of recent, and I can't find anything definative. We'll have to see once we get the demo. A part of me thinks there will be a directional component, but the success of that will be determined by pitch location, batter skill, and pitch quality. However, that's just how I feel.

[dodgerblue]

Re: Hitting Engine?

Actually, my question is if we have any control over where the hit goes or is it simply swing away and the game decides based on timing and pitch location. Can you try to hit fly balls vs. ground balls and can you try to direct your hit?

From what I've read and heard on the podcasts, it sounds like it is based on timing and pitch location. In the videos it seemed like pitches away were hit away, pitches in were pulled etc. I actually like this better, because pushing up to get a flyball is too easy. This way you may have to look for a pitch up or down and in to put it up in the air.

[davewins]

Re: Hitting Engine?

From what I've read and heard on the podcasts, it sounds like it is based on timing and pitch location. In the videos it seemed like pitches away were hit away, pitches in were pulled etc. I actually like this better, because pushing up to get a flyball is too easy. This way you may have to look for a pitch up or down and in to put it up in the air.

I agree. Situational hitting isn't all that easy to do in real life. The pro's just make it look easy. There is a lot of cat and mouse going on behind the scenes too as well.

Now I think we have to be more strategic and if we are looking to just push the ball the other way to advance say a guy on 2nd to 3rd with less then 2 outs then we have to just look away. If we are looking for a sac fly then we have to really look for something that we can drive that is up enough in the zone. This means taking more strikes which most people probably don't do enough of normally.

I think it will be MUCH more rewarding this way although it would be nice to have it as an option so the more novice players can be satisfyed.

[maverick3176]

Re: Hitting Engine?

I've read the Ben Brinkman interview and various posts of speculation, but do we have any definitive information on hitting? We all loved MVP 05's hitting engine that took into account pitch location and user imput for where you were trying to hit the ball (try to hit a grounder to the right side on a pitch high and in and you missed it completely). Do we know if 2K8 will allow user imput into the type of hit we are trying to execute? I can't find anywhere were Brinkman gives a definite answer. I know he mentioned being able to rip one down the line or go the other way and how satisfying that is. I also saw the IGN preview but I don't put much stock in their ability and the fact that they only had the game for a day.

Actually, I hated MVPs hiting system. But from what I have read it seems like the you wont be able to determine the direction the ball will go except by if your swing is late or early. This is going to wind up being the worst system ever. I think True Aim was the best hitting system in a videogame and they got rid of it.

[allBthere]

Re: Hitting Engine?

if you can't pull an outside pitch for a homerun than this might be unplayable to me. Too many major league power hitters have made careers from pulling the outside pitch. I know i like the ball outside or even down and out and pull it to left center. There is no reason why you shouldn't be able to do that.

[SgtDillznick]

Re: Hitting Engine?

I don't understand how game developers are using the word "can't" when describing their respective hitting systems. I understand the age-old saying "hit it where it's pitched", but there needs to be that randomness; that possibility that something big or small can happen on any pitch of any at bat.

With these types of hitting systems where you have "hit influence" and timing as the main user input for each swing, you then hamstring that randomness. You create a contrived scenario that says this:

IF inside pitch AND swing timed right THEN ball is pulled
IF inside pitch AND swing timed late THEN strike

This is not baseball. We all know this. David Ortiz has made a living crowding the plate and drilling outside pitches to right field. Hell, I watched Alfonso Soriano hit a ball off the plate for a homerun off Schilling in the 02 World Series.

My point is, these types of hitting systems lack the depth that hitting systems from games like World Series Baseball 98 had. I feel that this "timing only" fascination with hitting needs to go.

But then again, what do I know?

[maverick3176]

Re: Hitting Engine?

I don't understand how game developers are using the word "can't" when describing their respective hitting systems. I understand the age-old saying "hit it where it's pitched", but there needs to be that randomness; that possibility that something big or small can happen on any pitch of any at bat.

With these types of hitting systems where you have "hit influence" and timing as the main user input for each swing, you then hamstring that randomness. You create a contrived scenario that says this:

IF inside pitch AND swing timed right THEN ball is pulled
IF inside pitch AND swing timed late THEN strike

This is not baseball. We all know this. David Ortiz has made a living crowding the plate and drilling outside pitches to right field. Hell, I watched Alfonso Soriano hit a ball off the plate for a homerun off Schilling in the 02 World Series.

My point is, these types of hitting systems lack the depth that hitting systems from games like World Series Baseball 98 had. I feel that this "timing only" fascination with hitting needs to go.

But then again, what do I know?

you know alot dude. Timing only...or hit influence is absurd....they are too obsessed with the damn swing stick. Swing stick is a nice option...but it shouldnt be the only way to hit. there are so many things wrong with this system

[HK-47]

Re: Hitting Engine?

Hell, I watched Alfonso Soriano hit a ball off the plate for a homerun off Schilling in the 02 World Series.

lol...The Angels and Giants played in the 2002 World Series.

[JT30]

Re: Hitting Engine?

I don't understand how game developers are using the word "can't" when describing their respective hitting systems. I understand the age-old saying "hit it where it's pitched", but there needs to be that randomness; that possibility that something big or small can happen on any pitch of any at bat.

With these types of hitting systems where you have "hit influence" and timing as the main user input for each swing, you then hamstring that randomness. You create a contrived scenario that says this:

IF inside pitch AND swing timed right THEN ball is pulled
IF inside pitch AND swing timed late THEN strike

This is not baseball. We all know this. David Ortiz has made a living crowding the plate and drilling outside pitches to right field. Hell, I watched Alfonso Soriano hit a ball off the plate for a homerun off Schilling in the 02 World Series.

My point is, these types of hitting systems lack the depth that hitting systems from games like World Series Baseball 98 had. I feel that this "timing only" fascination with hitting needs to go.

But then again, what do I know?

Well you don't know who played in the 2002 World Series.. lol

[chasmalgrat3]

Re: Hitting Engine?

Again - this is where attributes should come in. There are players that are better at situational hitting then others. The thing is, bottom of the ninth, tie game, runner on third w/one out, I need to know that the guy I have at the plate is going to try to hit a ball up in the zone for the sacrifice. I'm not saying every player should do be able to do it successfully but I would like a little more input in him trying to do it rather than leave it up to the game to realize the context of the situation.

[SgtDillznick]

Re: Hitting Engine?

Well you don't know who played in the 2002 World Series.. lol

Ok... one year off. My mistake. Shoot me.

Wow... It's been that long... 7 years?

[maverick3176]

Re: Hitting Engine?

Again - this is where attributes should come in. There are players that are better at situational hitting then others. The thing is, bottom of the ninth, tie game, runner on third w/one out, I need to know that the guy I have at the plate is going to try to hit a ball up in the zone for the sacrifice. I'm not saying every player should do be able to do it successfully but I would like a little more input in him trying to do it rather than leave it up to the game to realize the context of the situation.

if I wanted a game where attributes were the biggest determining factor in results...i would just sim. or I would want a managers mode. I am playing the game so therefore I want to determine what happens in conjunction with the attributes.